Surrendering an Animal

Admissions Information

The following will provide information regarding Western PA Humane Society programs offering assistance in keeping your pet at home, general information about open admission (open door) shelters, the procedure for admitting an animal and some general guidelines for admittance.

Options To Releasing Your Pet

• Have you asked friends or family members to care for your pet?
• Ask about our Low Cost Spay & Neuter Program. Certain health & behavior problems can be curbed by spaying or neutering your pet.
• Ask about our Wellness Animal Clinic. If your pet is displaying out of the ordinary behavior, this may be an indication of a health problem.
• Ask about our Obedience Training Classes. Studies show that 90% of dogs released to an animal shelter are related to lack of training. Attending classes can help build a better understanding of how to correct common behavior problems and build a bond between you and your pet.
• Ask about our Cat & Dog Behavior Resources. Tip sheets about behavior and/or someone is available to discuss those "bad habits".
• Ask about Ellie's Pet Pantry. Pet food bank which provides a supply of pet food to offset expenses. Call 412-321-4625 X 246

Ask us ... we are here to help keep you & your best friend together

Open Admission (Open Door) Shelter

The Western PA Humane Society (North shore and Fallen Timber location) is an open admission (open door) shelter. Open-admission shelters choose to take in all animals regardless of their health, temperament or placement. We accept owned, stray, sick, neglected, abused and dangerous animals. We admit animals from the community on a walk in basis or within short notice. We do not require an appointment prior to acceptance nor will we turn an animal away. Therefore, available kennels and cages are always at a premium.

At the time of surrender, we will ask for a valid PA State Photo ID with your current address. We ask for a donation but we do not charge an admission fee. We charge a service fee for euthanasia requests (based on weight & temperament of animal).

We are NOT able to guarantee placement for adoption.

We do make every effort to place healthy animals with appropriate behavior. We do not make the placement determination at time of admittance. We allow most animals 24 to 48 hours to adjust to the shelter environment before conducting a behavior and medical assessment. If there are concern of or evidence with aggression issues either toward people or other animals, we may make the determination to humanely euthanize the animal immediately. In addition, if the animal is suffering or has health complications, we may make the determination to humanely euthanize the animal immediately.

Dogs and cats often do poorly in shelter settings. Animals can decline quickly in health & behavior going from a long time home situation to a kennel environment. If an animal's health declines during their stay at the shelter, we will consider the option of isolation or foster care. Due to the large amount of animals received on a daily basis, we have a limited amount of isolation kennels/cages and limited available foster homes. In the event of lack of space & foster homes, we may make the determination to humanely euthanize the animal.

Please also consider the following advice:

• DON'T drop your pet off in the woods or countryside, assuming that it can take care of itself. Pets lack the skills to survive on their own and may die of starvation or injury.
• DON'T abandon your pet in a house or apartment you are moving out of, thinking that someone will eventually find it. This does not always happen.
• DON'T give your pet away to a stranger. You don't know if that person is a responsible owner or even honest. Pets that end up in the wrong hands may be abused or sold to research laboratories.